Sarah Michelle Gellar is sharing a touching tribute to her former "Buffy" costar Nicholas Brendon.
The "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come" star took to Instagram on March 21 to post a throwback photo with Brendon, who died on March 20 at age 54.
Gellar captioned the post with a quote from Brendon's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" character, Xander Harris: "They'll never know how tough it is to be the one who isn't chosen. To live so near to the spotlight, and never step in it. But I know. I see more than anybody realizes, because nobody's watching me."
"I saw you Nicky," Gellar added. "I know you are at peace, in that big rocking chair in the sky."
For seven seasons of TV's "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," Brendon played Buffy's lovable friend Xander, a member of the series' so-called "Scooby Gang" of allies to Gellar's lead heroine. The quote that Gellar posted is from a scene where Xander talks with Buffy's sister Dawn, played by Michelle Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg died last year at age 39 from diabetes complications.
Brendon's character was also close with Alyson Hannigan’s Willow on the show, which aired from 1997 to 2003. Hannigan shared a tribute on Instagram, writing, “My Sweet Nicky, thank you for years of laughter, love and Dodgers. I will think of you every time I see a rocking chair. I love you. RIP.”
Brendon died in his sleep “of natural causes,” according to a statement shared by his family on his official Facebook page. “Our family asks for privacy during this time as we grieve his loss and celebrate the life of a man who lived with intensity, imagination and heart,” the statement added.
Brendon had numerous health difficulties and struggled with substance abuse. In 2022, after he was hospitalized following a cardiac incident, Brendon’s sister told fans he had been diagnosed with a congenital heart defect.
The actor also said in 2023 that he was recovering from “two spinal surgeries and a heart attack.”
Charisma Carpenter, who played Cordelia Chase on “Buffy,” honored Brendon in her own Instagram post, writing, “I will miss the version of the man I once knew - someone who was so warm and loving. He was cuddly, funny, silly, self-deprecating and supremely talented. I loved every scene we had together back in the day.” Emma Caulfield, who starred as Anya on the show, also wrote, “You will be missed old friend. I know you’re at peace now.”